A Christmas Vignette

It was the first day of December, 2020.

The Christmas lights twinkled in the wet dark after I tied them onto the porch railing. It was my hope that this ‘lighting up’ for the holidays would awaken my hibernating Christmas spirit.

I felt a stir somewhere deep inside me as my Spirit made a slight movement. All it was, however, was Spirit rolling over under the covers.

“I’m going back to sleep,” Spirit said without even opening his eyes. “Don’t bother me!”

“When will you awaken?” I said. “It’s going to be Christmas soon and I need you to help celebrate the holiday!”

“I don’t feel like it,” Spirit said. “Now, leave me alone. Maybe next year we can play Christmas together.”

“But, I need you this year,” I said. “There needs to be singing, and bustling, and baking, and excitement. Otherwise, it will be just another ‘pandemic’ day with quarantining, masking, distancing, and lack of human contact. It will be flat – feel-less. Frankly, I’m not a fan,” I responded.

“Groan,” replied Spirit.

“Come on,“ I pleaded. “You need to get busy and give all of us a chance to feel again.”

“I’m happy feeling the weight of my cozy blankets and not, at all, ready to go to work!”

It was clear to me that Spirit preferred hibernation to being out in the open, dancing around, and creating joy and frivolity. I had a decision to make. Do I let sleeping Spirit lie, or do I insist on rousting Spirit out of bed to bring Christmas to life? Risk hovered around this decision in my head, as I put it on temporarily hold until I had a little more time to think about things. What are my options?

There weren’t many…..I could just let it all go and let Spirit hide under the blankets until next year. Or, I could poke and prod to awaken Spirit knowing full well that I would have to contend with a very cranky and crotchety character for a bit.

“There might be one other choice, though,” I thought as I remembered the ‘snooze’ button on the ‘wake-up’ machine that Spirit had installed last year. This ‘snooze’ button would allow Spirit to have a few ‘moments’ more of sleep, but would eventually ring an annoying bell sound that would cause Spirit to get up and have to walk across the room to turn it off. This could solve the problem.

I opted for the ‘snooze’ choice, initiated the action, and waited for the result. A few moments passed and, sure enough, ‘RRRRRIIIIINNNNNGGGGG!”  Spirit must have bolted out of bed because that annoying bell was jammed off in a few seconds.

“Ok, ok,” Spirit said. “I’m awake. I suppose you want me to start dispensing Christmas Spirit as soon as possible…?”

“Well,” I have been waiting all year I said. “I think it is time to get started. Only 24 days until Christmas!”

Spirit groaned again, but decided to get dressed and start to come to life.

“I have surprises for you,” I mentioned to get Spirit motivated.

“What?” Spirit asked.

“I have made preparations,” I said. “I have your necessaries ready for you…..warm cider wassail, holiday cookies, lights for the tree, and presents ready to be wrapped in the many rolls of paper with pretty Christmas prints.”

Spirit emerged from his abode and headed toward the wassail and cookies. “Nothing like a Christmas treat to get me in the mood,” he said. “How about you?”

“Yes,” I said. I took a sip of my wassail and chased it with a butter cookie. “If you are ready to start Christmas, so am I. Let the festivities begin!”

With Christmas Spirit awakened, I can look forward to the next 24 days. Even though the pandemic still lurks, there is Christmas enjoyment to be had. I will not be ‘grinch-ful’ but will dance with Spirit and share joy and laughter with those I love.